Starting a business is one thing. Running one is another. Then there’s the next stage: taking your business to the next level through growth, expansion, and investment.
For small business owners planning on growing their companies, the prospect of making that giant leap can seem scary. But they don’t have to do it alone. Thanks to the development of business-grade software and business-focused services, it’s never been easier for businesses to reach the next step of development.
With this in mind, let’s take a look at essential software and services for growing your business:
Customer Relationship Management Software
When a business grows, so does its customer base. While it’s fairly easy to keep track of a few dozen clients or customers, it becomes close to impossible to do so when you’ve got hundreds of active accounts that require immediate attention. That’s where customer relationship management (CRM) software comes into play. CRM software gives you the means to keep detailed records of every transaction with every customer. It also allows you to record and retrieve relevant customer information that helps you establish a friendly and personal rapport with clients and customers.
Localization Management Software
Once you reach a certain level to expand globally then you need localization management software to correctly engage the local customers. By localizing your website you will increase your overall customer acquisition and attract more of the local population of the targeted market. Expanding to different markets is a regular occurrence and you should not be afraid of going in that direction since it opens new opportunities. Localization management software will help you cut costs of hiring multiple translators and writers for your website. Localizing your website will bring much better results than simple translations since it will connect with the audience.
Project Management Software
A growing company is bound to have several projects happening at once. With one project ending and another one starting soon after, it’s safe to say the juggling act never ends. Rather than spend hours each week recalibrating your agenda through updates and team meetings, make the investment in project management software. PM software enables managers to stay on top of active projects, plan ahead for those around the corner, and provide upper management and ownership with meaningful progress reports backed by productivity measures and data-infused insights.
Office Suite Software
From word documents to spreadsheets to presentation programs, most businesses rely on some form of office software. With this in mind, you might as well invest in the whole shebang by opting for office suite software. As of 2023, the two leading options remain Google Workspace and Microsoft Office.
Accounting Services
It’s almost impossible to keep accurate business records without accounting software. Since businesses in the process of expanding are constantly sending and receiving money in new ways and in greater sums, it’s likely that your existing software isn’t enough. Fortunately, you don’t need to hire a full-time certified public accountant to achieve accurate bookkeeping. There exists a suitable compromise in the form of outsourced accounting services. These services take care of all your business bookkeeping needs as your company continues to grow and expand.
Human Resources Services
Growing your business typically means hiring more employees. But it also means overseeing dozens of other tasks and responsibilities, making it difficult for business owners to assess candidates properly. What’s more, if your company lacks a human resources department, the process of setting one up will be time-consuming and costly. The best solution for growing businesses is to opt for outsourced HR management services specializing in helping companies find talent. They can also handle payroll duties and global workforce compliance.
Cybersecurity Services
While basic cybersecurity protection is a suitable solution for small businesses with limited exposure and reach, that calculus changes once a company grows into a significant enterprise. In order to prevent becoming a victim of ransomware or other cyber attacks, growing companies should join forces with an outside cybersecurity service. These services provide around-the-clock monitoring, proactive protections, and professional-grade data security you won’t get with a software package.
As your business grows, ensuring the security of privileged user sessions becomes increasingly important. Implementing effective tools such as privileged session management can help control and monitor access to critical systems, safeguard sensitive data, and maintain a high level of security within your expanding operations.
Payment Processing Services
Businesses need to sell products and services in order to succeed. In the digital age, it’s close to impossible to do so as a cash-only enterprise. That means working with one or more payment processors specializing in handling all forms of payment, including credit, debit, wire transfers, and even cryptocurrency. These services also provide a level of fraud protection you won’t get on your own.
You’ve started a small business and turned it into a success. Now you’re thinking about growing. Whether that means opening a second location one town over or opening an office on the other side of the world, you’ve got one shot at your business expansion project. In order to continue your pattern of success, you’ll need to invest in the right software and services.
Julie Steinbeck is a freelance writer from Florida. She enjoys writing about business, finance, health, and travel.